January News
Hi Janice ,

Welcome 2023! We are excited and looking forward to what is in store this coming year. Let's see what is happening at Graham Cracker Collection as the new year begins...
New to the Website!

Beginning in 2023, we have added a new feature to our website!

Graham Cracker Collection patterns in pdf format are now available for sale on our website!

Both our Quilt patterns and Project patterns are available for sale via Square. Once your pattern is paid for, we will be notified of the sale and a pdf copy will be emailed to you.

Click here for Quilt patterns and click here for Project patterns. Click the "Buy PDF" under the pattern description and follow the instructions to purchase.

Our books are still available from Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe by clicking here. Hard copies of all of our patterns are still available through their Online Shoppe by clicking here.
On the Design Wall

A new project is in the works! Here is the beginning of the center medallion block. In addition to the center block, I am guesstimating 30 additional blocks to surround the center and an appliquéd border.

Still playing with fabrics and threads need to be pulled for embroidery. It is a start. I love this part of the journey! The project will include appliqué, piecing, embroidery and ribbon work.

It is inspired by an antique I discovered in 2010 while I was finishing up the work on my first book. This one has been simmering for many years. I am looking forward to watching it come together! I will keep you posted on its progress.
There are just a few more circles to stitch and my Toned Down Sampler by Sue Spargo will be completed! Here is one of the circles I finished this month. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional circles.

Working on the circles in the pattern was great fun! Playing with additional threads and creating my own designs for these 1" circles was an added bonus!

If you would like to give this project a try, I am offering a class at Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe starting next month. The class will be available both in person and online.

For more information and to register for class click here. If you have any questions, contact me at grahamcrackercollection@gmail.com
This month we are wrapping up our Wildflower Shawl block of the month. We will finish the last block featuring the Hibiscus and go over the finishing instructions for the shawl.

The pattern is written and awaiting the cover. It will be available in February at Cinnamon's Quilt shop AND as a pdf on our website!

When the pattern is available, it will be announced on our Facebook and Instagram pages.




I finished the second ornament in the 12 Days of Christmas series by mmmcrafts.blogspot.com.

These ornaments are fun stitching. The instructions are great. The patterns use basic stitches with elegant results.

One a month and we will have them in time for Christmas 2023!

Click here if you would like to join the fun!
Warehouse Sale!
Our special Holiday Offer
continues this month!

We found a couple more boxes of our favorite hand embroidery book, Needle Grace, in the warehouse!

Check out our Facebook or Instagram pages to view a video of the individual blocks included in this exquisite quilt. The book includes appliqué, embroidery and ribbon instructions for each block, as well as the instructions for making the quilt!

We are offering this beautiful first edition book at 50% off Suggested Retail
at a special price of $11.00.

AND if you purchase two copies, we will include one additional copy for FREE as our gift to you!

Click HERE to order your copies today!
In the Classroom

Toned Down Circle Sampler (also available as a webinar class)
2nd Saturday of each month, February 2023 through July 2023
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

This is a fun, addicting, and creative project by Sue Spargo! Join Jan as you hand embroidery 1” wool circles on a 17.5” x 16” sampler.

Stitch the circles exactly as Sue designed them in the pattern, use some of the designs Jan included on her sampler, OR design some of your own circles. You will totally be amazed what fits on a 1” circle and how easy these designs are to stitch!

In class you will make the circle foundation, learn stitches used in Sue’s designs, how to mark designs on the circles, how to create your own designs, and be inspired to finish this project along side others sharing the joy with you!
 
This class will be available on site at Cinnamons Quilt Shop as well as via WebEx for our out-of-town customers. Contact the shop to sign up for the WebEx class.

Willow Tree Sewing Pocket
February 11, March 22, and April 8, 2023
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

No UFO here! This project will be finished during class time! This sweet 6” x 8” Sewing Pocket is small enough to conveniently fit inside any bag, large enough for your needles, thread, scissors, and small project. Perfect for a take-along sewing project.
 
Jan will offer three different designs to choose from for the front of your sewing project, or feel free to bring a 4.5” x 4.5” design of your own choosing.

Class will include hand embroidery stitch instruction and construction of the pocket.

This class will be available on site at Cinnamons Quilt Shop as well as via WebEx for our out-of-town customers. Contact the shop to sign up for the WebEx class.


Coral Bells
February 18, March 11, and April 15, 2023
10:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

Coral Bells, a 62" x62" quilt, designed by Jan Patek, is a delightful, hand applique project. It is a great design for beginners to experienced stitchers. 

Learn perfect placement appliqué to prepare the pattern for hand appliqué. Then, learn how to stitch pointy points, smooth curves and round circles. A wonderful project for the fall and winter months!

This class will be available on site at Cinnamons Quilt Shop as well as via WebEx for our out-of-town customers. Contact the shop to sign up for the WebEx class.

Zip 'n Go with Jan
April 29, 2023
10:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

This Zip 'n Go bag by Graham Cracker Collection goes together in no time! SUPER EASY ZIPPERS!!!

It is perfect to organize all your sewing essentials for classes or for take-along projects, such as appliqué, hand piecing, English paper piecing, cross stitch, punch needle or embroidery.

It is also makes a great travel accessory bag for a non-stitcining friend.



Stitching Companions
My sister Jo took this great photo of Doogan's cousins and auntie.

Back lineup is Stanley on the left and Tidus on the right.

Front lineup is Mario on the left and Dad's little sweetie on the right, Noelle.

This crew has been keeping Jo company in her sewing room, as well as cheering on her favorite team, the Pittsburgh Penguins!

What would we do without our loving and supportive companions?
In Closing
"No matter how long the winter,
spring is sure to follow."
Proverb
Right before the holidays as the weather was turning exceptionally cold for Floridians, flocks of robins nestled in our surrounding trees filling their tummies with winter berries. This typically indicates they are preparing to head north and Spring will soon be on its way. I hope they were just preparing for the cold days ahead here in Florida!

Until next month,
Stay well, stay safe, and
Stay Stitching,
P.S. The free pattern and instructions for this poinsettia are on the website. Click here.